Kaidan Project: This Alley Is Hauntedwas an immersive, walk-through haunt staged in a hidden alley in Historic Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, co-produced by Rogue Artists Ensemble and East West Players. Created during the pandemic as both companies’ first in-person event since lockdown, the experience welcomed audiences back with a ghost story grounded in Japanese folklore and local community history.

Designed for small groups, the event guided guests through a transformed urban alley where layered soundscapes, theatrical lighting, and subtle visual storytelling evoked a sense of mystery, wonder, and cultural resonance. The production emphasized safety, intimacy, and re-connection — offering a rare moment of shared experience during a time of distance.

The experience was presented free to the public, and over the course of its run, thousands of guestspassed through the haunted alley.

As part of the event, a special fundraiser titled “This Fundraiser Is Haunted” invited supporters of both companies to gather in person for the first time since the pandemic began. The event featured exclusive nighttime access to the haunt, custom themed food and drink, and immersive photo pop-ups — blending celebration with storytelling in a truly unforgettable way.

Sean Cawelti served as Creative Director and Puppet Designer, shaping the narrative flow, aesthetic, and immersive design language of the entire experience.